Finding Solutions in the Scriptures

In 2 Nephi 32:3 it talks about the importance of feasting on the words of Christ, because the words of Christ will tell us everything we should do. This means that we can look to the scriptures for answers to problems we are facing. It is important to turn to the scriptures and use them - they are tools to help us in our lives.

The book of Philippians has a lot of great counsel, and provides a lot of answers to problems that we face in the everyday world. Here are a few examples:

1. People sometimes argue over petty matters in church meetings and throughout the week.

Look in Philippians 2:1-8, 14-15.

In these verses we learn that we need to esteem others better than ourselves - we need to be humble and not fight over things that don't even matter in the long run.

2. Many youth feel that their parent's testimony is sufficient for them. Since they have good parents, they rely on them for all their spiritual strength.

Look in Philippians 2:12-15.

Here we learn that we are the ones responsible for our salvation. Our parents' goodness won't allow us to return to live with God. We must learn from our parents and then gain our own testimonies.

3. An investigator is considering joining the Church, but his family will no longer associate with him if he does.

Look in Pilippians 3:7 and 4:13

Here we learn that we can do all things through Christ. He will give us the strength to be able to withstand hard times. We also learn that sometimes we have to be willing to sacrifice good things in our lives in order to gain the best things the Lord has in store for us.

Salvation and Becoming A Saint

In Romans 12-16, Paul teaches us about salvation and how members of the church should live in order to prepare for salvation.

In Romans 13:11, Paul teaches that salvation is nearer than we might suppose. Ezekiel 3:20 and D&C 14:7 shed more light on this. In order to prepare for salvation, we need to be righteous, to repent, and to help those around us to prepare as well. In order to be righteous, we must keep the commandments and endure to the end.

In Romans 12, Paul teaches us several ways that we can prepare for salvation. These include:

• being holy
• avoiding worldliness
• doing God’s will
• avoiding evil
• giving service
• being humble
• doing good
• being obedient
• choosing the right
• loving others
• keeping the commandments

As we strive to do what’s right and prepare for salvation, we need to follow Paul’s counsel in Romans 14:1-13 and 15:1-3 about judging. Paul teaches us that we need to be careful about judging others so that we don’t make things harder for them. D&C 28:25-27 also talks about judging others. We need to treat everyone fairly and be united in our faith.

By becoming members of Christ’s church and preparing for salvation, we become what Paul terms “saints.” The term saint doesn’t mean that we are perfect, only that we are members of the Lord’s church who are trying to do the best we can to return to live with Him and help others in their path.

Baptism and Becoming Truly Free

I was reading today in Romans 6 where Paul is teaching the people about baptism and serving the Lord. Baptism is essential to returning to live with God, but it can't be undertaken lightly. We have to prepare ourselves to receive this ordinance. The main way we accomplish that is through repentance. We have to do our best to put away our sins and make things right before we a baptized.

Baptism is symbolic of the death and resurrection of the Savior. When we are baptized, we go under the water completely, symbolizing the Lord's death and burial. As we are raised again out of the water, we are reminded of the Lord's resurrection on the third day. Because baptism is symbolic of of the Savior's death and resurrection, it must be done through immersion rather than sprinkling or in any other way.

When we go into the water, symbolically what King Benjamin describes as the "natural man" dies. When we come out of the water, we begin what Paul described as a "newness of life." We put aside the sins that we used to commit and do our best to follow the Savior and repent as we need to. We yield ourselves to God and follow Him to the best of our ability.

Baptism is one way that we choose who we are going to serve - whether we'll serve righteousness or sin, God or Satan. We can know who's servant we've chosen to be by the things we choose to do. If we choose to do what is right and follow the example of the Savior, then we've chosen to follow God. By choosing that route, we have found the only way to be free. Sin binds us and imprisons us, while repentance and following the Savior frees us.

Forgiveness

Forgiveness is essential if we are to return to live with God - especially since we are counting on Him forgiving us. There are a number of scriptures that speak of the need for forgiving others.

2 Corinthians 2:1-11, Matthew 6:14-15, and D&C 64:9-10 give us a small sampling of such scriptures.

In 2 Corinthians the people are commanded to forgive any who have caused them grief. It wasn't just a suggestion, but a commandment.

Matthew teaches us that if we forgive others we will also be forgiven.

In the Doctrine and Covenants we learn that if we fail to forgive others then we will stand condemned before God. If we don't forgive, we have the greater sin than the person who hurt us to begin with.

Justice is important, but it is even more important for us to forgive. That doesn't mean that those who have done wrong will be able to get away with the things that they've done. It means that we allow the Atonement to work in our lives.